Control valve for a gas range timer

ABSTRACT

A fluid control valve and means for mounting the valve in a position adjacent to an electrical range timer so that the valve may be automatically controlled by the timer to selectively provide a flow of fluid to an area remote from the range timer.

United States Patent 1 July 15, 1975 Impett 1 1 CONTROL VALVE FOR A GAS RANGE [56] References Cited TMER UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: John A- p Chichester. England 2,891 406 6/1959 Stoner 137/624.22 x 1098.131 7/1963 Gallagher et a1. 1. 200/38 FA [73] Asslgnee' 8' l" 3 595 273 7/1971 Kolodziej 137/62412 Indianapolis. Ind

[221 Filed: 1973 Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek [21] APP] NO: 414,308 Attorney, Agent, or FirmChar1es W. Hoffmann;

Robert F Meyer; Donald W Hanson [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 57 ABSTRACT Dec. 7, 1972 United Kingdom 1, 56551 i 1 A fluid control valve and means for mounting the [52] US. Cl, 137/554; 74/354; 200/33 FA; valve in a position adjacent to an electrical range 137/624 22 timer so that the valve may be automatically con- [51] Int. Cl. F16k 51/00 trolled by the timer to selectively provide a flow of [58] Field of Search 200/38 FA. 39 A; 74/354; fl to n r remo e from the range timer.

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II ll 16 1 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures INTERVAL TIMER STOP TIME COOKING HOURS I4" 16" m @IH" l4 I6 204 --84 K W j 50 l4 1 6 GAS CONTROL VALVE FOR A GAS RANGE TIMER The present invention relates to a fluid control valve to provide a controlled flow of fluid, in close prosimity to a range timer, for appliances such as gas ranges. More specifically the invention is utilized to provide a controlled flow of gas to a gas oven which may be automatically turned on in the absence of the operator to provide a delayed cooking operation to run a predetermined duration and to shut off the cooking operation at a predetermined time. Prior art timers are designed to actuate an electrical switch at the timer to control a solenoid controlled fluid control valve in an area remote from the timer switch to supply a flow of gas to an oven or burner. The invention discloses an apparatus which may be incorporated with presently existing timer mechanisms to provide a fluid control valve within the timer confines.

An object of the invention is to provide a fluid control valve in cooperation with a range timer that includes an interval timer to provide an audible alarm at the end of a predetermined period of time, a stop time mechanism for selectively determining a desired cooking duration of a cooking operation, with a cooking hours mechanism being controlled by the stop-time mechanism through a planetary gear system which drives a cam to control, through a linkage, the fluid control valve for providing a flow of fluid at the timer for a duration equal to the time determined by the cooking hours mechanism and then turning off the flow at the end of the cooking operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lever actuator to actuate a fluid control valve by the range timer.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ON condition in a valve which requires an applied force from the timer to start a cooking operation, and a relaxed condition in the valve for an OFF position at the end of the cooking operation so that the valve is in an OFF condition whenever tha actuating condition from the timer is removed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a control valve within the confines of a range timer which will automatically, on a preselected program, provide a flow of fluid to a burner in an area remote from the range timer to be ignited by a pilot flame in association with failure preventive devices.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mounting bracket for a fluid control valve which will properly align a control valve actuator blade into an interference path with an actuator in a range timer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting means for a control valve and a control valve which may be easily adapted to presently existing range timers without substantially increasing the size of existing range timers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid control valve and mounting means for the control valve which can be easily adapted to present existing range timers without alteration of any of the range timer mechanisms.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a control valve with fluid control lines connectable to the valve in an area which is easily accessible by service personnel when assembling, repairing, or installing the range timer incorporating the valve.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means for mounting a control valve to a standard range timer in such a way that will allow increased amount of force upon the valve when attaching or removing the input and exhaust lines to the control valve without destroying or damaging the range timer.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a range timer which may incorporate the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section through the range timer and a control valve in side elevation;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the invention with a portion broken away for purposes of clarification; and

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the control valve taken along a line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Generally speaking the objects of the invention are accomplished by way of incorporating a control valve in a presently existing electric range timer that includes an interval timer which will provide an audible alarm at the end of a predetermined time, a stop time mechanism for selecting a desired shut off time at the end of the specific cooking operation in cooperation with a cooking hours mechanism for selectively determining a desired cooking duration of the cooking operation, with the cooking hours mechanism being arranged to respond to the stop time mechanism through a planetary gear system which is also driving a cam for actuation through a linkage to actuate a fluid control valve, so that the control valve is actuated to an ON condition to allow flow of fluid at the range timer to the range at an interval equal to the time determined by the cooking hour mechanism and then actuated to an OFF condition at a time determined by the stop time mechanism. The fluid control valve is actuated by the range timer through a vlave actuating blade which may be adapted to operate with presently existing range timers without changing any of the mechanisms in the existing range timer. The fluid control valve is provided with operation conditions such that the flow of fluid at the range timer is provided under an influencing force from the range timer and when the range timer discontinues the force against the control actuator blade the valve returns automatically to an OFF condition to discontinue fluid flow at the range timer.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 the invention is incorporated in a typical range timer 10 having a clock mechanism 12, an interval timer means 14 including a knob 14' and dial 14", a stop-time means 16 including knob 18' and dial 18'', which may be set by the operator to determine the proper amount of cooking time prior to the predetermined stop-time. The cooking hours means 18 and the stop time means 16 are coupled to a cam 20 which in turn controls a lug 204 in an up-and-down motion as viewed in FIG. 2. A more thorough and complete description of the aforementioned timing mechanism and its operation is described in William P. Gallagher, et al, US. Pat. No. 3,098,] 3 l which is incorporated herein by reference.

The invention is directed to applying a fluid control valve and more particularly a gas control valve, to a range timer of the class described. More specifically, in the range time of the above-noted patent, an electrical switch is opened and closed to complete an electrical circuit whereby energy is supplied to the range either in the form of electrical or gas heat, in the case of gas heat there being a solenoid actuated to allow gas to be supplied. in the present application, the electrical switch is replaced by the fluid control valve such that gas may be supplied directly to the range.

To accommodate the gas control valve a U-shaped mounting bracket 22 is carried on the timing device 10. The U-shaped mounting bracket 22 includes a pair of extending legs 24 connected together by a panel 26. The legs 24 have extending flanges 28 which provide a support for the bracket against the range timer and are rigidly coupled to the range timer by way of studs 30 and retained on the studs by way of nuts 32. U-shaped bracket 22 is made of heavy gauge metal with strengthening ribs 26' and right angle lips 26" on panel 26 to provide a bracket 22 which will withstand increased force when attaching or removing gas lines of the control valve. Located inside the U-shaped bracket 22 and mounted on the panel 26 is a fluid control valve 34. Fluid control valve 34 is sandwiched between spacer plate 36 and cover plate 38. Spacer plate 36, fluid control valve 34, and cover plate 38 are secured to the panel 26 by way of a pair of bolts 40 and nuts 42. Cover plate 38 and spacer plate 36 are each provided with upwardly projecting journals 39 and 37 respectively. Journals 37 and 39 are each provided with an aperture 44 which are axialy aligned with each other to provide a bearing for valve actuator blade 46.

Valve actuator blade 46 is substantially L-shaped and is provided at one of its ends with a pair of outwardly extending projections 48 which extend into the apertures 44 in the cover plate 38 and spacer plate 36. A second end 50 of the valve actuator blade 46 is positioned in an interference path with mechanically actuated lug 204 and is responsive to the lug 204 when the lug 204 is moved in a downward direction as viewed in FIG. 2. Trapped between the fluid control valve 34 and valve actuator blade 46, is a coil spring 52 which applies a constant spring force against the valve actuator blade 46 to urge the valve actuator blade 46 into contact with the lug 204 and to lift actuator blade 46 clear of fluid control valve 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the fluid control valve 34 includes a ported block 54 provided with valve aperture 56, intake port 58, and exhaust port 60. Communication between the valve aperture 56 and exhaust port 60 is accomplished through conduit 6] which is closed by plug 62. A valve 64, located in aperture 56, is provided to control the fluid flow from input port 58 and exhaust port 60 and includes a fitting 66 and a movable plunger 68. Movable plunger 68 is of two piece construction including an external button 70 and a valve stem 72. Fluid control valve plunger 68 is located intermediate the pivot point of actuator blade 46 and lug 204. Valve stem 72 and external button 70 are press fitted together inside the fitting 66. The movable plunger 68 is maintained in a position as shown in FIG. 4 by compression spring 74 being trapped between step 76 in the inner wall of the fitting 66 and the bottom of the external button 70.

When plunger 68 is depressed fluid may flow between resilient flange washer 78, on valve stem 72, and the lower portion 80 of the fitting 66. When plunger 68 is released, resilient flange washer 78 will seat against lower portion 80 of fitting 66 to seal the fluid passage so as to stop the flow of fluid. External button 70 is provided intermediate its length with an O-ring 82 to assure a fluid seal around button from the inside of the fitting 66 to the atmosphere.

OPERATION As range timer 10 goes through its mode of predetermined operation determined by settings of the stoptime means 16 through knob 16 and the cooking hours means 18 through knob 18', cam 20 will eventually be rotated to actuate lug 204. Such actuation of the lug is similar to the manner in which lug 204 is actuated to close the electrical switch of the timer of the aforementioned patent. More specifically, cooking hours means 18 is set to rotate cam 20 so as to actuate lug 204 at a predetermined time interval. As the lug 204 is moved downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the valve actuator blade 46 will be responsive to the lug 204 and will move downwardly in the direction of the arrow 84 to pivot about the projection 48 in the journals 37 and 39. As the button 70 is moved inwardly under the influence of valve actuator 46, valve stem 72 associated with button 70 is also moved in the same direction to open a passage between the resilient flange washer 78 and the lower portion of the fitting 66 to provide a passageway from input port 58 through the fitting 66 to the conduit 61 which communicates with exhaust port 60 to thereby provide a flow of gas from gas supply through hose 92 through the valve 34. From valve 34 the gas then flows from exhaust port 60 through hose 94 to elements such as the oven or the burners of a gas range 96.

As further described in the above mentioned patent, stop-time means 16 also determines the time at which cam 20 will engage lug 204, through a series of linkages, to shut-off energy being applied to the range, in the case gas to the range. As the lug 204 is actuated in an upward direction as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4 by cam 20, the valve actuator blade 46 is urged against the lug 204 by way of compression spring 52. Button 70 is urged outwardly, in a direction opposite to that of arrow 84, by way of compression spring 74 to move valve stem 72 with its associated resilient flange washer 78 in a direction opposite that of arrow 84 to thereby close the passageway between the resilient flange washer 78 and the lower portion 80 of the fitting 66 to thereby discontinue passage of the gas from input port 58 to exhaust port 60.

As in the aforementioned patent, the present timer may provide a constant ON condition by manually rotating knob 16' of cook hours means 16 to a manual setting which will bring lug 204 into position to actuate fluid control valve 34 through valve actuator 46.

Although the present invention is illustrated with a specific type of range timer it should be noted that other types of range timers which provide a mechanical mechanism to produce a mechanical actuating means may be used by making minor modifications to the switch actuator blade. It should be noted that the present invention is incorporated in the illustrated range timer without extending beyond any of the perimeters previously consumed by the supplied range timer.

Wat is claimed is:

1. In a range timer provided with an interval time means, a stop time means, a cooking hours means, a cam controlled by said stop time means and said cooking hours means, and a lug responsive to said cam means to provide a mechanical actuator, a bracket supported by said timer, a fluid control valve carried by said bracket and actuated through a valve actuator blade by said mechanical actuator, said fluid control valve providing an ON-OFF condition to selectively supply a flow of liquid at said range timer to an area rerhote from said range timer.

2. A range timer according to claim 1 wherein said fluid control valve discontinues flow of fluid through said control valve when said valve is in a relaxed condition.

3. A range timer according to claim 1 where in said valve actuator blade is substantially L-shaped.

4. A range timer according to claim 1 wherein said valve actuator blade is substantially L-shaped.

5. A range timer according to claim 1 wherein said valve actuator blade is pivoted at one end.

6. A range timer, according to claim 1 wherein said fluid control valve is located within the confines of said range timer.

7. A range timer according to claim 6 wherein said fluid control valve is located inside a bracket.

8. In a range timer, the combination of a time driven member, a fluid control valve, a stop cooking dial, manual means for setting up a stop cooking time on said stop cooking dial, a cooking hours dial, manually operated cooking hours control means for manually setting up a desired number of cooking hours on said cooking hours dial, planetary gear elements comprising a central sun gear, a planetary gear revolving in an orbital path around said central sun gear and an outer planetary ring gear surrounding said orbital path and meshing with said planetary gear, means responsive to the time set up on one of said dials for adjusting the position of said planetary gear in its orbital path through said sun gear, means responsive to the setting given to the other of said dials for transmitting motion to determine the position of said planetary gear in its orbital path through said outer planetary ring gear, mechanism jointly responsive to said time driven member and to the orbital position of said planetary gear for determining when said fluid control valve is to move to open position; means responsive to rotary motion of another of said dials for determining when said fluid control valve is to move to closed position, and means automatically responsive to motion of one of said dials out of an off position for automatically placing the range timer in set position without the performance of any other control operation.

9. A valve in combination with a valve actuator; said valve including a movable plunger carried in a fitting to selectively open and close said valve and being spring biased to close said valve when in a relaxed position; said valve actuator including a valve actuator blade having a pair of oppositely extending projections at a first end of said blade and supported for pivoting a second end of said blade, said plunger engaging said blade intermediate said ends, and a spring positioned between said valve and said valve actuator blade to maintain said valve actuator blade off said plunger when in said relaxed position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. ,557 DATED 11/09/73 INVENTOR( 1 John A. Impett It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that sad Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 4 line 35 delete "the" first occurrance and substitute therefore -this- Col. 4 line 62 delete "Wat" and substitute therefore ---What Signed and Scaled this twenty-first D3) Of October 1975 [SEAL] RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks 

1. In a range timer provided with an interval time means, a stop time means, a cooking hours means, a cam controlled by said stop time means and said cooking hours means, and a lug responsive to said cam means to provide a mechanical actuator, a bracket supported by said timer, a fluid control valve carried by said bracket and actuated through a valve actuator blade by said mechanical actuator, said fluid control valve providing an ON-OFF condition to selectively supply a flow of liquid at said range timer to an area remote from said range timer.
 2. A range timer according to claim 1 wherein said fluid control valve discontinues flow of fluid through said control valve when said valve is in a relaxed condition.
 3. A range timer according to claim 1 where in said valve actuator blade is substantially L-shaped.
 4. A range timer according to claim 1 wherein said valve actuator blade is substantially L-shaped.
 5. A range timer according to claim 1 wherein said valve actuator blade is pivoted at one end.
 6. A range timer, according to claim 1 wherein said fluid control valve is located within the confines of said range timer.
 7. A range timer according to claim 6 wherein said fluid control valve is located inside a bracket.
 8. In a range timer, the combination of a time driven member, a fluid control valve, a stop cooking dial, manual means for setting up a stop cooking time on said stop cooking dial, a cooking hours dial, manually operated cooking hours control means for manually setting up a desired number of cooking hours on said cooking hours dial, planetary gear elements comprising a central sun gear, a planetary gear revolving in an orbital path around said central sun gear and an outer planetary ring gear surrounding said orbital path and meShing with said planetary gear, means responsive to the time set up on one of said dials for adjusting the position of said planetary gear in its orbital path through said sun gear, means responsive to the setting given to the other of said dials for transmitting motion to determine the position of said planetary gear in its orbital path through said outer planetary ring gear, mechanism jointly responsive to said time driven member and to the orbital position of said planetary gear for determining when said fluid control valve is to move to open position; means responsive to rotary motion of another of said dials for determining when said fluid control valve is to move to closed position, and means automatically responsive to motion of one of said dials out of an off position for automatically placing the range timer in set position without the performance of any other control operation.
 9. A valve in combination with a valve actuator; said valve including a movable plunger carried in a fitting to selectively open and close said valve and being spring biased to close said valve when in a relaxed position; said valve actuator including a valve actuator blade having a pair of oppositely extending projections at a first end of said blade and supported for pivoting a second end of said blade, said plunger engaging said blade intermediate said ends, and a spring positioned between said valve and said valve actuator blade to maintain said valve actuator blade off said plunger when in said relaxed position. 